Barnsley fall into administration

Barnsley have become the latest Football League club to be placed into administration following the collapse of ITV Digital.

The Second Division club, which won promotion to the Premiership five years ago, has petitioned the High Court in Leeds for an administration order.

The south Yorkshire club dropped out of the Premiership in 1998 after one year in the top flight and were relegated from the First Division last season.

A disappointing start to the campaign has left Barnsley with just three wins from their 11 games this season and supporters staged a demonstration outside Oakwell demanding the resignation of the club's chairman, John Dennis, after the defeat by Wigan on Saturday.

Charles Escott, joint administrator of Barnsley Football Club with Matthew Dunham, said in a statement: "This afternoon Matthew and I were appointed administrators of Barnsley Football Club in the High Court in Leeds.

"The directors have worked tirelessly in recent months to find a solution to the club's financial plight.

"Despite their efforts no immediate solution has been found and whilst Barnsley has been a financially well-managed club, the directors have been left with no alternative but to place the club into administration.

The statement added that the administration period would last for at least two months during which a financial package would be put together to save the club.

He added: "We anticipate working closely with the board, management and staff of the club to help us achieve a solution to the club's difficulties.

"In the meantime, it is business as usual. The fans' loyalty to Barnsley Football Club is more important than ever and I hope they continue to show their support by coming to the forthcoming home games."